Secret #7: Where I do most of my writing.
By Jody Hedlund, @JodyHedlund
At one point I had a small office upstairs. But because my growing kids needed more bedroom space, I moved my desk into my bedroom to a tiny spot near the closet.
Fortunately, I can lock the door to the bedroom when I need uninterrupted time to work. Unfortunately, my older kids all have learned how to pick the lock.
I'm not all that crushed that I don't have a fancy writing space. Because I must confess my office is NOT where I do most of my work.
My real writing spot is *drum roll* the kitchen table. Yes, I spend 80% of my time working at my kitchen table and the other 20% in my office.
The long, white table sits smack-dab in the middle of the downstairs living area at the hub of all the
activity. From my spot on the picnic-table style bench, I can see out into the backyard to the swing set, the trampoline, and the thick woods beyond. From where I sit, I can keep tabs on all three doors into the house, the stairways, and the bathroom.
I can also see who's getting into the refrigerator and snack cabinet (which is also very crucial!).
In other words, my post at the kitchen table helps me keep track of all five of my kids and our pets.
Because the truth is, at this stage in my life, as a busy mom of young children, I can't closet myself away. I want and need to be available to my kids.
But I have real work, deadlines, and demands that require my attention as well. And while I covet quiet, uninterrupted work time, I've also come to realize over the years that I can't wait for perfect conditions before I start to work. I have to turn on Pandora, put on my headphones, and just do the best I can.
Some days, I get interrupted hundreds of times in the span of an hour or two. But I keep going the best I can, working through the distractions. Because I know that one day all too soon, I'll be able to have my upstairs office again.
I only have my children living in my home for a short span of my life. But I'll have my writing forever.
For now, I'll take the interruptions and count my blessings.
What about you? Work-at-home moms, how do you balance kid-time and work-time? And what about kids and snacking?! My kids love to snack and I'd love some healthy snack ideas. Any suggestions?
Publisher's Weekly calls Unending Devotion "A meaty tale of life amid the debauchery of the lumber camps of 1880s Michigan . . . exciting and unpredictable to the very end."
To celebrate the release of Unending Devotion, Jody is giving away a signed copy. Enter via the Rafflecopter below to enter the drawing. Valid only with US or Canadian addresses. The last day to enter the giveaway is Tuesday, September 18.
For more secrets about Jody and additional chances to win her newest release, visit her Events Page to see where she'll be next in her "Fun Secrets About Author Jody Hedlund" blog tour.
Also join in the Pinterest Photo Contest she's hosting. Find more information about it on her Contest Page.
Jody would love to connect with you! Find her in one of these places:
Website: http://jodyhedlund.com/
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a Rafflecopter giveaway
Always good to learn about Jody!
ReplyDeleteThank for this post and the giveaway. I had to smile at this : 'I can also see who's getting into the refrigerator and snack cabinet (which is also very crucial!)'
And I think this is great! 'I want and need to be available to my kids.'
Blessing Jody, I blog for books and everyone else. :-)
Great post! I agree with Jody...we can never recover the years when our children are young. I always say that I write around the fringes of family life, and it's true. Most of my writing is done right in the middle of sweet chaos. I can 'zone' out, as my children can attest, and they often have to wave a hand in front of my face when I'm concentrating.
ReplyDeleteBut, like Jody, I know these days are not forever. My oldest children (21 yo twin daughters) are both in college now, and my middles and littles are growing up quickly. One day, when I am sitting down in peace and quiet, I know I'll look back and miss this craziness.
Very inspirational, encouraging...and REAL post! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing Jody. I'm really looking forward to reading your new book! And thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI'm a stay at home mom. I try to do what I need to get done when the little ones are sleeping. I need the healthy snack question answered too. My three year old is a picky eater.
ReplyDeleteI am new to this author! But I am so itching to read "Unending Devotion" it sounds so awesome!!! By the way, I love the cover!! :D
ReplyDeleteHi Everyone! Great to see you all here today!
ReplyDeleteAs far as the snacking, my older kids are starting to dig into the potato chips and anything sweet that might be in the cupboard! My younger two still like goldfish crackers and pretzels. But I figure there has to be something a bit healthier that they can all eat! Right? :-)
Love learning more about Jody too -- and I always glean wisdom from her.
ReplyDeleteMy office is right off the family room, which is right off the kitchen ...
and so I am never far from the activity. My door is usually open -- but if the door is closed, my family knows it means "Do Not Enter."
My youngest daughter and her BFF even made a sign to post on my door:
One side read "Come on in! I'm Available." The other side read "Brrr! It's Cold in Here. Enter at Your Own Risk."
Or something like that ...
Great interview! Look forward to seeing her new book come out!
ReplyDeleteWonderful interview! Would love to win a copy of her new book!!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the latest book!
ReplyDeleteKaren Schulz
aregeetee5162 at yahoo dot com
I was fortunate that when I had to go to work, it was at a private school so my kids could go with me (one in 4th grade, one in preschool). For a healthy snack, perhaps yogurt? There are so many flavors now that there would surely be something for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving away a copy of Unending Devotion. It sounds like a great book.
pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Kids getting older means less privacy for parents, less work time. You'd think the older they get the more independent... They know how to get your attention more and can do more of the "dangerous" stuff.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a mother but I did just turn 22 and graduate. Soon I'll be leaving home and it sort of hit me all at once. I've been trying to spend as much time as possible with my sister and parents and actually spend time together.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit we're not always the healthiest snackers =) though we try to eat fruit or yogurt instead of cookies or chips.
I am not yet a mother & I work 40 hours a week. I'm hoping that the hubs & I can afford for me to stay home with our children. At least while they are young :) And maybe beyond & I could still work from home somehow.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance to win!
Great post, I don't have kids but nephew enjoys eating yogurt for a healthy snack and he loves when I make him smoothies.
ReplyDeletesonflower277 at gmail dot com
I don't have any kids, yet I still find it hard to balance everything. I can't imagine having other people to have to worry about. Kudos to you moms. :)
ReplyDeletelaurelprincess12 at gmail dot com
Fruit! Sliced peaches, bananas, grapes, frozen blueberries :)!
ReplyDeleteJes
jswaks at gmail dot com
I don't consider myself old enough to have kids, though I am the oldest of five children. Usually, if my mom let us help make the snack --even if it was cutting up fruit with a plastic or butter knife-- we were prone to eat it all. Something about being involved in the process made you want to partake in the eating of it afterwards. =)
ReplyDeletejafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu
Great Giveaway! Can't wait to read this book.
ReplyDeleteI am not a mom yet since I am not married yet, but a snack we all enjoy in our home is what we call a Cheese Buritto, you just get a Flour Totilla and put on a slice of Cheese, and if you like you can also add some Salsa, than fold it and butter the top, and Cook it. Don't know how healthy it is but it is very good! :)